JP4492838B2 - Printing information storage method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print information storage method and apparatus for receiving and storing a print information file including input print data and a print job.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the spread of computers and the enhancement of DTP software functions, data for printing is almost created by computers today. Documents that are not converted to digital data are often taken into a computer by a reading device such as a scanner, digitized, subjected to image processing, output to a printing machine, and preprinted.
[0003]
Further, when print data is output from the computer to the printing machine as described above, the print data is also output to the printing machine as a single print information file together with the print job information such as the paper size and the number of prints. Has been done. When performing such processing, the printing machine is equipped with a file system for accepting the print information file and a storage medium such as a hard disk or a FLASH memory for storing the print information file. The print information file output from the computer is stored in the printing press. It can be expanded and printed directly, or once stored in the storage medium, and the stored print information file can be taken out and printed as necessary.
[0004]
In addition, the print information file output from the computer as described above is given a file name (for example, a minutes or sales report, or an extension attached to them), and the printing press uses this file. In general, a named print information file is received by a file system and stored in a storage medium. By storing in this way, it is possible to confirm the file names of a plurality of print information files that have been stored once on the display panel of the printing machine, and to execute or delete a specific print information file. It is.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the OS installed in the computer connected to the printing machine differs depending on the language of each country, and the supported language codes vary, such various OSs and language codes are used in the printing machine. If the installed file system does not support it, the file name may not be recognized due to differences in the 2-byte code judgment conditions and the 1-byte code shift-out character assignment, etc. Forbidden characters are included and cannot be recognized, and these print information files cannot be received and stored in the storage medium, resulting in an error.
[0006]
In addition, in order to avoid the above errors, it is necessary to adopt a file system corresponding to each language code or add a function for removing the prohibited characters, which causes an increase in cost. .
[0007]
In view of the circumstances as described above, the present invention can always accept print information files and store them in a storage medium even when the language code of the file name of the print information file output from a computer or the like is different. An object of the present invention is to provide a print information storage method and apparatus that can be used.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The print information storage method of the present invention is a print information storage method in which a print information file having print data and a print job is input, the print information file is received, and the received print information file is stored. When the print information file is received, a storage file name of the print information file that can be accepted is generated, the print information file having the storage file name attached as the file name of the print information file is received, and the storage file name and the print information file are received. Are stored in association with each other.
[0009]
Here, the “print information file” may be output from, for example, a computer, a print controller, or an integrated print controller and computer, or read from a predetermined storage medium such as a flexible disk. May be good.
[0010]
The “print job” is print control information for print data included in the print information file, and means, for example, the size of paper to be printed, the number of sheets to be printed, and the like.
[0011]
In addition, for example, the file name of the print information file cannot be recognized by the print information file accepting unit that accepts the print information file due to a difference in OS or language code, or the print information file accepting unit includes the file name in the print information file accepting unit. If prohibited characters are included and cannot be recognized, there is a problem that the print information file cannot be received. Therefore, the “file name for storage of print information file that can be accepted” is the file name of the print information file generated so as not to cause such a problem. For example, for a plurality of input print information files, a randomly generated number may be used as a storage file name so as not to overlap. In short, the print information file accepting unit can recognize characters or numbers. Any number may be used, and the above number and a predetermined fixed character string may be combined.
[0012]
In addition, it is desirable that consecutive numbers are generated as storage file names, and the “sequential number” may be a number obtained by sequentially adding a predetermined value from a smaller number, or sequentially from a larger number. It may be a number obtained by subtracting a predetermined value.
[0013]
In addition, the above-mentioned “store the storage file name and the print information file in association with each other” means that, for example, even when a plurality of print information files are stored, each print information file and each storage file name are 1 This means that the data is stored in correspondence with the pair.
[0014]
In addition, for a plurality of input print information files, the print information file name can be generated by referring to the file name management file so that the storage file name is not generated redundantly.
[0015]
Here, the content of the “file name management file” may be determined according to the generated storage file name. For example, consecutive numbers obtained by sequentially adding a predetermined value from a small number are stored. If the file name is generated, if it has the last generated number as the storage file name, the storage file name is generated by referring to this number and incrementing the number. Names can be unique.
[0016]
In addition, for example, when a continuous number obtained by sequentially adding a predetermined value from a small number is generated as a storage file name, when the continuous number reaches a predetermined maximum value, the storage file is again generated from the initial value number. A name can be generated.
[0017]
Here, the “predetermined maximum value” is preferably determined in consideration of the capacity of the print information file storage unit that stores the print information file, the number of files that the print information file storage unit can support, and the like.
[0018]
Further, when the consecutive number of storage file names reaches a predetermined maximum value, the storage file name already deleted is searched, and the number of the deleted storage file name detected by the search is stored in the storage file It can be generated as a name.
[0019]
Here, the “name of storage file already deleted” means, for example, a storage file name of an unnecessary print information file that is no longer required to be printed.
[0020]
When a print information file is input together with a predetermined file name, the print information file in which the predetermined file name is written can be stored at the time of storing. At this time, the writing to the print information file may be performed not only by the file name but also by writing the storage file name in association with the print information file.
[0021]
The print information storage device according to the present invention receives a print information file having print data and a print job output from the print information output device, and receives the print information file. The print information file accepting unit In the print information storage device comprising the print information file storage means for storing the print information file received by the print information file, the print information file storage file that can be accepted by the print information file acceptance means when the print information file is input File name generating means for generating a name, the print information file accepting means accepts a print information file with a storage file name attached as the file name of the print information file, and the print information file storing means comprises: Associating and storing the storage file name and the print information file And characterized in that.
[0022]
Here, the “print information file receiving means” means, for example, a file system installed in a printing machine or the like.
[0023]
The “print information file storage means” means, for example, a hard disk or a FLASH memory mounted on a printing machine or the like.
[0024]
Further, the file name generation means refers to the file name management file so as to generate the storage file name so that the storage file names are not generated redundantly for the plurality of input print information files. be able to.
[0025]
Further, the file name generation means can generate a continuous number as a storage file name for each of a plurality of input print information files.
[0026]
In addition, the file name management file having the last generated number as the storage file name, and the file name generation means refers to the file name management file so that the storage file name is not duplicated The number of the storage file name can be generated.
[0027]
Further, the file name generation means can generate the storage file name from the initial value number again when the consecutive number of the storage file name reaches a predetermined maximum value.
[0028]
Further, when the file name generation means searches for a storage file name that has already been deleted when the consecutive number of storage file names reaches a predetermined maximum value, the deleted storage file name detected by the search Can be generated as a storage file name.
[0029]
When a print information file is input together with a predetermined file name, the print information file storage means can store the print information file in which the predetermined file name is written at the time of the storage.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the print information storage method and apparatus of the present invention, when a print information file is input, a storage file name of a print information file that can be accepted is generated, and the storage file name is the file name of the print information file. The print information file attached as is received and the storage file name and the print information file are stored in association with each other, so that the language code of the file name of the print information file output from a computer or the like is not affected. The print information file can be received and stored reliably.
[0031]
If a file name management file is referred to so as not to generate a duplicate storage file name for a plurality of input print information files, the previously stored print information file is overwritten. Such an error can be surely avoided.
[0032]
In addition, when a continuous number obtained by sequentially adding a predetermined value from a small number is generated as a storage file name, the file name management file has a number generated last as a storage file name. If a file name for storage is generated by incrementing the number with reference, numbers that do not overlap can be easily generated.
[0033]
Further, if the storage file name is generated again from the initial value number when the consecutive number of the storage file name reaches a predetermined maximum value, for example, the storage capacity of the print information file storage means is free. Even when there is no more file, the print information file can be received and stored.
[0034]
Further, when the consecutive number of storage file names reaches a predetermined maximum value, the storage file name already deleted is searched, and the number of the deleted storage file name detected by the search is stored in the storage file If the name is generated as a name, for example, even when the storage capacity of the print information file storage unit is exhausted, the print information file can be received and stored while avoiding overwriting of the file.
[0035]
In addition, when a print information file is input together with a predetermined file name and the print information file in which the predetermined file name is written is stored, a specific file is searched by searching for the file name. The file name and the contents of the print job can be displayed and changed. At this time, if writing to the print information file is performed by associating not only the file name but also the storage file name and writing to the print information file, the print information file is selected along with the print job name and the print information file includes The file name for storage written in can be taken out and the print information file can be accessed and expanded, and the processing speed can be improved.
[0036]
Further, for example, when the printing press is connected to a network or the like, a plurality of users may share a single printing press, and it is conceivable that file names are duplicated among users. Even in such a case, the print information file storage means can store print information files having the same file name with different storage file names without duplication.
[0037]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a connection form between a printing machine 10 using an embodiment of a printing information storage apparatus according to the present invention and a computer 20 that outputs a printing information file to the printing machine 10.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 1, a computer 20 is connected to the printing press 10 directly or via a wired line such as a public line such as a LAN or a telephone line, or a wireless line.
[0039]
The computer 20 outputs print data described in a page description language using DTP software or the like to the printing machine 10 as a print information file. The print information file includes information such as the paper size and the number of sheets printed. A print job is also included.
[0040]
Here, conventionally, when a computer outputs a print information file, it is output with the file name, and this file is received by the print information file receiving means of the printing machine, and the received print information file is a file. The name is stored in the print information file storage unit together with the name, and printing is executed by designating the stored file name. However, if the computer supports OSs and language codes of a plurality of countries, the print information file receiving means of the printing machine may not be supported for these OSs and language codes, and the character code of the file name Depending on the case, it may correspond to an unsupported language or the like of the print information file receiving means of the printing press, and there arises a problem that a print information file having such a file name cannot be received. Further, even when the prohibited characters of the print information file accepting unit are used in the file name of the print information file, the print information file accepting unit of the printing press cannot accept the same as above.
[0041]
In order to avoid the above problems, the printing machine 10 generates a file name for generating a storage file name that can be received by the print information file receiving unit 32 for the print information file output from the computer 20. Means 31 are provided. The print information file receiving unit 32 receives the storage file name as the file name of the print information file. In this embodiment, consecutive numbers sequentially incremented by 1 from a small number are used as storage file names. By using such a serial number as a file name, the print information file accepting unit 32 can accept all print information files output from the computer 20 without being affected by the language of the file name.
[0042]
Further, the printing press 10 includes a print information file storage unit 33 that stores the print information file received by the print information file receiving unit 32 as described above in association with the sequential file name. The file structure stored in the print information file storage means 33 is as shown in FIG. 2, and a serial number management file is stored in addition to the print information file. The serial number management file is a file having the last generated number among the serial numbers generated by the file name generation unit 31 and stored in the print information file storage unit 33, and specifically, as shown in FIG. And an identifier A for confirming that it is a serial number management file. When the file name generation unit 31 newly generates a number as a storage file name, the serial number management file is referred to, and the number of the serial number management file is incremented to generate a number. Duplicate file names can be avoided.
[0043]
Further, the print information file stored in the print information file storage means 33, specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, is a paper size and number of prints, a file name, a serial number, print data, and a print job file as a print job. It is comprised from the identifier B for the confirmation. The file name and serial number are written in the file after the print information file with the serial number is stored in the print information file storage means 33. By writing the print job name and serial number in the file in this way, those using the printer 10 can select the print information file by the file name, and are selected when the print information file is actually expanded. The file can be accessed using the serial number corresponding to the file name.
[0044]
Further, the printing machine 10 is provided with a display means 40. The display means 40 reads the contents of the print information file stored in the print information file storage means 33, and the print information file reception means 31 as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal panel displays the file name, the reception date and time, and the paper size according to the accepted order. The liquid crystal panel is provided with a job call button 41, a print execution button 42, a job delete button 43, and a cursor button 44. The cursor button 44 is used to select one of the displayed print information files, and the job call button 41 calls a print job of the print information file selected by the cursor button 44, changes its contents, or prints. The job deletion button 43 is for deleting the print information file selected by the cursor button 44 from the print information file storage means 33.
[0045]
Next, the operation until the printing information file output from the computer 20 is received in the printing machine 10 and stored in the printing information file storage means 33 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0046]
First, the file name generation means 31 that has received the print information file output from the computer 20 checks whether or not a serial number management file exists in the print information file storage means 33 (S1). If there is a serial number file in the print information file storage means 33, the serial number is extracted from the serial number management file (S2), and the process proceeds to S3. If the serial number file does not exist, the serial number is initialized to 0 (S10), and the process proceeds to S3. In S3, the serial number extracted from the serial number management file or the serial number initialized to 0 is incremented by one. Then, a predetermined fixed character string and a serial number are connected to generate a storage file name (S4). The predetermined file name of the print information file is rewritten to the storage file name and written in the print information file storage means 33 (S5). Here, it is checked whether there is a duplication with the storage file name already stored in the print information file storage means 33 (S6). If there is no overlap, the serial number in the serial number management file is updated to the newly generated serial number (S7). If they overlap, the process proceeds to S3 again and the serial number is incremented by one. The increment of the serial number in S3 is repeated until the storage file names are not duplicated in S6. In step S8, the predetermined file name and the serial number added are written in the print information file having the newly stored storage file name. Further, other print parameters such as paper size and number of sheets and print data are written (S9).
[0047]
Next, the operation until the print information file stored in the print information file storage unit 33 is called and printing is executed in the printing machine 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0048]
First, the file name to be printed is selected by the cursor button 44 on the display means 40. When the job call button 41 is pressed, a print information file including the selected file name is detected from the print information file storage means 33, and this detection is performed. The serial number is extracted from the printed information file (S11). Then, this serial number is input to the file name generation means 31, and a predetermined fixed character string and the serial number are connected to generate a storage file name. The file name generating unit 31 outputs the storage file name to the print information file receiving unit 32. Next, it is detected whether the print execution button 42 or the job deletion button 43 is pressed on the display means 40 (S13). If the print execution button 42 is pressed, the process proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if the job deletion button 43 is pressed, the process proceeds to S18, where the print information file receiving unit 32 detects the print information file having the storage file name input from the file name generating unit 31 from the print information file storage unit 33. The file is deleted from the print information file storage means. In S14, the print information file receiving unit 32 opens the print information file having the storage file name input from the file name generating unit 31. Then, each parameter and print data of the print job are read and output to a printing unit (not shown) to execute printing. After completion of printing, the print information file receiving unit 32 closes the print information file.
[0049]
According to the printing machine 10 using the embodiment of the print information storage device of the present invention, when a print information file is input, a file name for storing a print information file that can be accepted is generated and stored. Since the print information file with the file name attached as the print information file is accepted and the storage file name and the print information file are stored in association with each other, the file name of the print information file output from a computer or the like is stored. The print information file can be received and stored reliably without being affected by the language code of the user.
[0050]
In the above-described embodiment, the print information storage device is built in the printing press 10. However, the printing information storage device may be configured in a separate housing from the printing press 10.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a connection diagram of a printing machine using a printing information storage device according to the present invention and a computer that outputs a printing information file to the printing machine. FIG. 2 is in a printing information file storage means of the printing information storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a serial number management file. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a print information file stored in the print information file storage means of the print information storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of storing a print information file in the print information storage device according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of storing the print information file in the print information storage device according to the present invention. Flowchart showing the operation of calling and processing a stored print information file [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing machine 20 Computer 31 File name generation means 32 Print information file reception means 33 Print information file storage means 40 Display means 41 Job call button 42 Print execution button 43 Job deletion button 44 Cursor button

Claims (11)

Print information print information file having the print data and print job output from the print information file output apparatus is inputted to the printing device receives the print information file at the printing apparatus, and stores the accepted the print information file In the storage method,
When the print information file predetermined file name is attached is input to the printing apparatus, in the printing device, capable of accepting as a file name, storage of different the print information file and the predetermined file name A file name is generated, and the storage information file name is received as the file name of the print information file instead of the predetermined file name, and the storage file name and the print information file are A print information storage method characterized by storing the print information file in which the predetermined file name is written in the file at the time of the storage.   The storage file name is generated with reference to a file name management file so that the storage file name is not generated redundantly for the plurality of input print information files. The printing information storage method according to 1.   The print information storage method according to claim 1, wherein a continuous number is generated as the storage file name for each of the plurality of input print information files.   When generating the consecutive numbers as the storage file name, refer to the file name management file having the number generated last as the storage file name so that the storage file name is not generated repeatedly. 4. The print information storage method according to claim 3, wherein the storage file name is generated. A print information file having print data and a print job output from the print information file output device is input, and the print information file receiving means for receiving the print information file and the print information file received by the print information file receiving means A print information storage device comprising a print information file storage means for storing
When the print information file with a predetermined file name is input, a file name for storing the print information file different from the predetermined file name, which can be received as the file name by the print information file receiving unit. Having file name generation means for generating,
The print information file receiving means receives the print information file with the storage file name attached as the file name of the print information file;
The print information file storage means stores the storage file name and the print information file in association with each other, and at the time of the storage, the print information file in which the predetermined file name is written in the file A print information storage device for storing a print information.   The file name generation means refers to a file name management file to generate the storage file name so that the storage file name is not generated redundantly for the plurality of input print information files. The print information storage device according to claim 5, wherein the print information storage device is a printer.   6. The print information storage according to claim 5, wherein the file name generation means generates a continuous number as the storage file name for each of the plurality of input print information files. apparatus. A file name management file having a number generated last as the storage file name;
8. The file name generation means refers to a file name management file so as to generate a number of the storage file name so that the storage file name is not generated redundantly. Printing information storage device.   The file name generation means is configured to generate the storage file name from the initial value number again when the consecutive number of the storage file name reaches a predetermined maximum value. The print information storage device according to 7 or 8.   The file name generation unit searches the storage file name that has been deleted when the consecutive number of the storage file name reaches a predetermined maximum value, and the deleted file name detected by the search 9. The print information storage device according to claim 7, wherein a number of the storage file name is generated as the storage file name. A print information file output device for outputting a print information file having print data and a print job; a print information file receiving means for receiving the print information file by receiving the print information file output from the print information file output device; In a printing system comprising: a printing apparatus having a printing information file storage unit that stores the printing information file received by the printing information file receiving unit;
The printing apparatus is different from the predetermined file name that can be received as a file name by the print information file receiving unit when the print information file with a predetermined file name is input to the printing apparatus. Having a file name generation means for generating a file name for storing the print information file;
The print information file receiving means receives the print information file with the storage file name attached as the file name of the print information file;
  The print information file storage means stores the storage file name and the print information file in association with each other, and at the time of the storage, the print information file in which the predetermined file name is written in the file A printing system characterized by storing information.

Images